A review by kellylhaslam
Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder by Arianna Huffington

4.0

I was a First Reads winner of this book. This book is full of solid advice! Some may view the advice as simple common sense, and thus, not worthy of a read. However, we often need some of that common sense reinforced and presented to us in ways that are convincing and make sense. Thus, Arianna provides an array of facts, study results, and personal stories to drive her points home. In addition, she organizes the book around four logical themes: Well-being, Wisdom, Wonder, and Giving. I appreciated her selection of these categories; not too many and very appropriate. One big takeaway for me from the book (discussed in the Well-Being section) was to make sure you are getting enough sleep! I was certainly motivated to take greater care of myself in that area.

For me, I find personal stories to be particularly inspiring and revealing. They probably move me to action more than any statistical information -- so I would have liked to have read more of those. Nevertheless, the personal stories included were really great. For example, she had some great little vignettes about her mother that were really wonderful. I only wish there had been more personal stories since I seemed to gobble them up like candy! However, the other thing I always really enjoy is a good quote; and Arianna had them interspersed throughout her book! On that note, I will close with a favorite from Marcus Aurelius about the events of your life (abridged here; full quote on p.118 in the Wisdom section): "...And everything is turned to one's advantage when he greets a situation like this: You are the very thing I was looking for..."